https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c2dee51y2ydo

A Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) councillor who made comments about a kids' GAA tournament that he mistakenly believed to be named after an IRA hunger striker has been given a three-month suspension by the standards watchdog.

Clement Cuthbertson, who sits on Mid Ulster District Council, faced a hearing of the Northern Ireland Local Government Commissioner (NILGC).

It centred on comments he made three years ago about the Francie Hughes Memorial Tournament, named after a former chair of the club.

The commissioner said the post, made on Facebook, was "inaccurate, unacceptable and offensive".

Cuthbertson had posted on social media that the GAA "continues to idolise convicted terrorists", believing the tournament to be named after one of 10 men who died on hunger strike.

The post was later deleted after he was informed about the mistake.

In his findings, adjudication commissioner Ian Gordon said when given the opportunity to "express regret about his actions", the councillor took "no steps" to clarify his post or apologise to Mr Hughes' family or other councillors.

A hearing took place on Wednesday to determine whether the councillor had breached the code and to determine a sanction.

The commissioner found he had breached two parts of the code, "showing respect and consideration for others" and that he had brought his role as councillor into disrepute.

However, the ruling added that Cuthbertson had "no previous history" of breaching the code and had co-operated with the investigation process.

The DUP has been approached for comment.

by UnnaturalStride

15 comments

  1. DUP try not to casually be a meme challenge: impossible

  2. Fair enough if he refused to apologise after realising his mistake.

  3. Hasn’t this gobshite’s mouth got him in bother before?

  4. Imagine complaining about someone else’s name when your own name is Clement Cuthbertson.

  6. What a sectarian comment. Ffs this forum is full of absolute wallopers. lol.

  7. Irrespective of his political stance, what a fucking magnificent name.

  8. Clement you are the most Orange looking Cuthbertson I’ve ever seen! Head on ye!!

  9. Thick, stubborn and in the DUP – there’s a surprise.

  11. Well considering they padlocked the swings in the park on a Sunday what the fuck do you expect from this 🦖

  14. OF COURSE he’s called Clement Cuthbertson 😂😂😂

Comments are closed.